Can opening device



Aug 31, 1954 JOHN YoGl lzuMl 2,687,569

CAN OPENING DEVICE Filed Aug. 14, 1950 Patented Aug. 31, 1954 i'i'ED STATES TNT OFFICE Claims.

The invention relates generally to a can opening device and more particularly to a device of the character in which a pouring opening is punched in the can.

A general object of the invention is to provide a new and improved can opening device that operates with ease and facility, and is sturdy and trouble-free.

A more particular object is to provide a can opening device that can be operated by one hand while the can is held in the hand.,

Another object is to provide a can opening device adapted to be stationarily mounted and is operable by mere placing of a can in position against the device and swinging the can about an edge thereof.

Still another object is to provide a can opening device in which the can to be opened is employed as a lever for actuating the can punching mechanism.

A further object is to provide a can opening device in which the can punching mechanism is at the end of the punching operation automatically withdrawn from the can to free the same for ready disengagement from the device.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a can opening device embodying the features of this invention.

Fig. 2 is an Yenlarged longitudinal sectional view of the device of Fig. 1.,

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view but showing the parts of the device in the position assumed just an instant before completion of the can punching operation.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken approximately along the line 4 4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the can opening device.

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, it is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described in a preferred embodiment. It is not intended, however, that the invention is to be limited thereby to the specific construction disclosed. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

The can opening device disclosed herein is intended to be supported in a stationary position as on a wall and is adapted to perform its Acan puncturing function simply by placing a can in the proper relationship to the device and then swinging the can forwardly and upwardly in a generally arcuate motion while it is partially suspended from the device. This is accomplished while the can is grasped and held in a hand of the operator, the can itself serving as the lever through which the force is applied and requiring no additional manipulation of parts. After an opening has been formed in the can as an incident to this simple forward and upward movement, the can punching element is Withdrawn leaving the can free to be removed Without the complication of having such an element projecting into the can. Upon removal of the can the mechanisms of the can opening device return automatically to the position for acting upon the next can to be opened.

For accomplishment of the above operations, the device comprises generally an elongated frame or housing ID, a can positioning and guiding means, generally designated II, mounted on means i3 for the can punching element said frame, a can punching element, generally designated I2, and controlling or triggering I2. More the frame I is elongated and is composed of a pair of side platesr IA and a pair of end plates or blocks I5, the side and end plates being secured together by screws or rivets I6. The frame is adapted to be mounted in horizontal position on some stationary support, indicated at Il, in any conventional manner. Preferably the end opposite the controlling or triggering means I3 is the end that is attached to the stationary support and for convenience that end will be referred to as the forward end. conceivably the frame could be attached to the supporting means at the opposite end. This, however, would make the operation of the device less convenient for the operator would be required to pull the can toward him rather than pushing it away from him, the latter being a more convenient gesparticularly,

ture, and conceivably the can opening device need not be mounted at all but could with less convenience and with additional manipulations be employed as a portable opener applied to the can rather than having the can applied to it.

The can positioning and guiding means Ii is pivotally mounted near one of its ends and intermediate the ends of the frame I to swing about a horizontal axis or pivot. Herein the pivot is formed by a shaft I8 extending through the positioning and guiding member Il and also through the side plates Id of the frame. The shaft I8, as will presently be made known, also serves a second function, namely, that of a limit stop. The positioning and guiding means II is composed of a pair of plates I9 spaced apart laterally with a block 2B mounted between the plates at. the free end. This block is weighted so as to tend to swing the means II downwardly to the position shown in Fig. 1. At the opposite ends the plates I9 are each formed with a hook 2I for engaging the top seam 22 of a canl 23 placed with the top of the canv against the'under surface or side of the can positioning and guiding means Il.

The can punching element I2 is mounted to perform its can puncturing function as an incident to the swinging of the can and the can guiding and positioning means i l from the position normally occupied by the means,` as shown in Figs. l and 2, in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. l to 3. With the vdevice mounted at its right-hand end as here shown, thisV swinging movement of the guiding means I I is accomplished by a convenient forward and upward pushing of the can 23, which is a convenient movement as well as one enabling considerable force to be applied. The punching element, moreover, is so mounted as to be automatically with- -drawn from the can after it has performed its punching operation so as tofree the can for convenient and ready disengagement from the guiding means, particularly the hooks 2I thereof. Herein the punching lement I2 is caused to perform its various functions by being pivotally mounted 0n the can positioning and guiding member or means II eccentrically of the pivot of the means, that is, of the shaft I8. To that end a pin 24 extends between the plates I9 of the means I I, and the element I2 is pivoted thereon to lie between the plates. With respect to a generally longitudinal center line oi' the means il, the pin 24 is positioned slightly rearwardly and downwardly of the shaft I8. As a consel quence the pin 2 4 and the punching element I2 have a forward and a downward movement relative to the frame I0 as the can positioning and guiding means II is swung from its normal position, shown in Fig. 2, to its actuated position, shown in Fig. 3. This movement is utilized as will presently be made known in the control of the puncturing element.

The portion or end 25 of the punching element I2 extending forwardly ofy its pivot pin 23 is generally triangular in` shape, as best -seen in Fig. ll, terminates in a sharp point 2li, and has its margins sharpened. to form a piercing end. The portion 2'l-ex'tending rearwardly' from the pivot pin 25 serves as the actuating end. for the punching element and to that end is generally rectangular."'A spring 28 carried'by a pin 29 extending between'the plates" I9 bears at its free end against the actuating end 2 of the punching element and thus' tends to rotate the element in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, until the piercing endv listrikes` the shaft I8 ata'tim'e' when the piercing end'25 lies approximately in the plane of the positioning vand guiding'means IItand in position s o that the point 23 lies just-above the top 'of a can placed in position against'the guiding means. 'A pin Si] extending between the plates I4 constitutes a second limit stop' and determines the normal position of the various parts, particularly the can positioning and guiding means, This pin 30 is adapted to be 'engagedby'the actuating end 2 of the punching element and the shaft i8 serves to 4limit the downward swing ofthe positioning and guiding means to the oblique position shown approximately in Figs. l and 2.

Controlling or triggering the operation of the punching element I2 is the means I3 taking the form of an L-shaped dog pivotally mounted on a pin 3l at the rear of the frame IB. The dog tends to assume the position shown in Fig. 2, in which an operative leg 32 thereof projects forwardly into the path of the actuating end 2I of the punching element I2 and in that position is held against further rotation. The leg 32, however, is short enough so that the obliquely forward movement of the punching element incident tothe swinging of the can positioning and guiding means is sufficient to move the actuating end 2i oiff the leg 32 to free the punching element for rotation under the inuenee of the spring 28. Free and unrestricted return movement of the actuating end 2i is permitted by the pivoting of the triggering means I3.

As an aid in the understanding of the invention, particularly the functioning of the various elements, the positions and movements thereof will be described as an incident to a can punching operation. Let it be assumed, therefore, that the various mechanisms are in their normal p0- sitions, that is, with the actuating end 2 of the punching element against the stop 32 and with the means II thereforl extending obliquely downwardly and forwardly. The piercing end 2t of the punching element will occupy what might be termedy a retracted position relative to the can positioning and guiding means, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and the triggering means ordog I3 will` be in its normal position, as shown in Fig. 2. To open a can it is simply grasped in one hand, one edge engaged on. the hooks 2I-, and the. can then swung. forwardly toward vertical position of the can. As a result, the positioning and guiding means swings about its pivot shaft I8, that is, it pivots relative to the supporting frame IG. While the means II isfree to pivot, the punching element I2 is not for its actuating end 2l is held against pivotal movement by the triggering means I3. As a consequence, there is relative pivotal movement between the means I I and the punching element I2, and the piercing end 25 of the punching element is forced into the can shearing a triangular segment 33 from the top of the can and bending the same downwardly inside the can, as. shown in Fig. 3.

Due to the eccentric mounting of the punching element, I2 relative to the `pivot shaft I8 ofthe can positioning and guiding means', thepunching element, as already described, also has an 'obliquely ldownward and forward movement causing the actuatingend 21 of the element to be .withdrawn'from the dog I3 after the segment. 33 of the can top has been well bent into the can and prior to the time that the can strikes the bottom edge of the side plates Iii. With the punching element now free the spring 28 rotates the same in a counterclockwise direction thereby withdrawing the piercing end 25 out of the can, and the` latter isv then free without any obstructions whatsoever to be disengaged from the hooks 2i. Upon removal of the can the weighted block 2E) swings the can positioning and guiding means baciato its normal,l oblique position in a clockwise directioncarrying the punching element I2 with it'. As the actuating end 2i of the element strikes the dog I3, it pivots topermit the end 2l to pass by and cometo rest against the pin 3 8. The dog I3 swings back to its normal position where the leg, 32 is in the path of the actuating end 2'I of the punching element and the device is again in condition for the next can opening operation.

It is believed apparent from the foregoing that I have perfected an ecient can opening device in which the device itself need not be touched and only one hand is required for the can opening operation.

I claim as my invention:

l. A can opening device comprising, in combination, an elongated frame adapted to be stationarily mounted in horizontal position, a can positioning and guiding member pivotally mounted near one of its ends in said frame and normally hanging downwardly, a can punching element pivotally mounted on said member eccentrically of the pivot of said member, said element having a piercing end extending generally in the direction of said member and an actuating end extending generally in the opposite direction, means urging said element in a direc-- tion tending to bring the piercing end of said element generally in the plane of said member, a stop carried by said member limiting movement of said element in the aforesaid direction when the piercing end of said element lies generally in the plane of said member, a stop carried by said frame adapted to be engaged by the actuf ating end of said element limiting pivotal movement of said element relative to said frame in a direction counter to the aforesaid direction and positioned to hold said member and said element in an obliquely downward position, and an abutment engaged by the actuating end of said element holding said element against rotation and forcing the piercing end thereof into a can held against the under face of said member and pushed upwardly in an arcuate path.

2. A can opening device comprising, in combination, an elongated frame adapted to be stationarily mounted in horizontal position, a can positioning and guiding member pivotally mounted near one of its ends in said frame and normally hanging downwardly, a can punching' element pivotally mounted on said member, said element having a piercing end extending generally in the direction of said member and an actuating end extending generally in the opposite direction, means urging said element in a direction tending to bring the piercing end of said element generally in the plane of said member, a stop carried by said member limiting movement of said element in the aforesaid direction when the piercing end of said element lies generally in the plane of said member, a stop carried by said frame adapted to be engaged by the actuating end of said element limiting pivotal movement of said element relative to said frame in a direction counter to the aforesaid direction and positioned to hold said member and said element in an obliquely downward position, and an abutment engaged by the actuating end of said element holding said element against rotation and forcing the piercing end thereof into a can held against the under face of said member and pushed upwardly in an arcuate path, said element being pivoted downwardly and rearwardly of said member pivot to have a generally forward movement as said member is pivoted releasing said element from said abutment near the end of the swing of said member to free said element for retraction of its piercing end from the can.

3. A can opening device comprising, in combination, an elongated frame adapted to be stationarily mounted in horizontal position, a can positioning and guiding member pivotally 6, mounted near one of its ends in said frame and normally hanging' downwardly, a can punching element pivotally mounted on said member, said element having a piercing end extending generally in the direction of said member and an actuating end extending generally in the opposite direction, means urging said element in a direction tending to bring the piercing end of said element generally in the plane of said member, a stop carried by said member limiting movement of said element in the aforesaid direction when the piercing end of said element lies generally in the plane of said member, a stop carried by said frame adapted to be engaged by the actuating end of said element limiting pivotal movement of said element relative to said frame in a direction counter to the aforesaid direction and positioned to hold said member and said element in an obliquely downward position, and an abutment engaged by the actuating end of said element holding said element against rotation and forcing the piercing end thereof into a can held against the under face of said member and pushed inwardly in an arcuate path, said element being pivoted downwardly and rearwardly of said member pivot to have a generally forward movement as said member is pivoted releasing said element from said abutment near the end of the swing of said member tofree said element for retraction of its piercing end from the can, said abutment being pivotally mounted to permit return of said member and said element to their obliquely' downward positions.

fi. A can opening device comprising, in combination, a frame, a can positioning and guiding member pivotally mounted on said frame, a can punching element pivotally mounted on said positioning and guiding member and having a piercing end positioned to contact a can placed in position against said member, and means for holding said punching element against rotation relative to said frame while said positioning and guiding member is swung about its pivotal mounting to force the piercing end of said punching element into the can.

5. A can opening device comprising,in combination, a frame, a can vpositioning and guiding member pivotally mounted near one of its ends in said frame, said member at its pivoted end having a hook for engaging the bead on an edge of the can, a can punching element pivotally mounted on said positioning and guiding member at its pivoted end eccentrically of the pivot of said member, said punching element having a piercing end positioned to contact a can placed in position against said member, and an abutment on said frame engaged by said punching element for holding the same against rotation relative to said frame during the initial pivoting of said positioning and guiding member.

6. A can opening device comprising, in combination, a frame, a can positioning and guiding member pivotally mounted near one of its ends in said frame, said member at its pivoted end having a hook for engaging the bead on an edge of the can, a can punching element mounted for pivotal movement relative to said frame and said member and for longitudinal movement relative to said frame, a connection between said member and said punching element to move said element generally longitudinally as said member is pivoted, and an abutment on said frame engaged by said punching element during the major portion of the rotation of said member to hold said piercing element. against rotation relative tothe frame.

7, A can opening devicecomprsing, in` combination, aframe adapted; to be mounted on a stationary member, a can positioning andzguiding member pivotally mounted near one of its ends in said frame, said memberV at its pivoted end having projecting means for engaging a can to aid in holding thesame against said member, a can punching element mounted on said member at its pivoted end havnga piercing end-normally extending in the direction of,` and lying approximately in the plane of; said-member, andan abutment on said` frame, engaged b y said element when in normal' position, holding said element against rotation relative to said frame, said punching element beingpivotally mounted on said member eccentrically of the pivot-of said member to have a limited generally, longitudinal movement, as an incidenttopivoting of s aid member, forcing it from said abutment.

3; A can Opening deViCC COmDISIlg, in 0.0m.- bination, a frame adapted to be mounted on a stationary member, a can positioning and guiding member pivotally mountednear one oiV itsends in seid frame, Said member at its-,pivotedend having projecting means .for engaging aA can to-aid in holding the same againstv said member, a can punching elementmounted on saidl member at its pivotedend havingapiercingend-normally extending in the, direction o iand lying approximately in the plane of said member, an. abutment on said frame, engaged: by saidK element when in normal` position, holding said element against rotation relative to said frame, said punching elementbeingpiVOtaIIy mounted onsaid member eccentrically of the pivot of saidmember to havea-limited generally longitudinal movement, as an incident tovpivoting of. said member,

forcing it from saidabutment, and means urging saidpunching. element toits normal position.

9. A. can opening device comprising, in combination, aiframeadapted to be mounted on a stationary. member, a can positioning andfguiding member pivotally mounted near one-of its ends in said frame,` said member at its pivoted end having projecting. meansfor engaging a can to aid in holdingthesameagainst-said member, a

can punching element pivotally mounted' onsaid member eccentrically ofv the pivot of` said member and having a. piercing. end, a stopy carried by said member limiting rotation of said: element in one direction relative to said member andpositioned to arrest said element with its piercing end extending in the direction and lying approximately in the plane of said'member, means urging said element against said stop, and an abutment on said frame adapted to be engaged by said element and to hold said element against rotation relative to said frame until near the end of the pivotal movement ofy said member toward said frame.

10. A can opening device comprising, in combination, a frame adapted to be mounted on a stationary member, a can positioning and guiding member pivotally mounted near one of its ends in said frame, said member at its pivoted end having projecting means for engaging a can to aid in holding the same against said member, a can punching element pivotally mounted on said member eccentrically of the pivot of said member and having a piercing end, a stop carried by said member limiting rotation of said element in one direction relative to said member andpositioned to arrest said element with its piercing end extending in the direction and lying approximately in the plane of said member, means urging said element against said stop, and a pivotal abutment on said frame adapted to be engaged by said element and to hold said element against rotation relative to said frame until near the end of the pivotal'movement of said member toward said frame and to pivot and permit passing of said element in the opposite direction.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,371,657 Wilson Mar, 15, 1 921 2,272,204 Hothersall Feb.l 10,1942 2,532,553 Johnson Dec.l 5 195.0 2,571,310 Thiem Oct. 16,' 1951 2,596,476 Forstrom May 13., 1952 2,616,166 Inch 1 Nov. 4,1 952 

